Container with integral closure

Abstract

A unitary container for playing or calling cards and the like. The container comprises a bottom part and a top part complementary to the bottom part, with the two parts, when engaged to constitute a closed container, forming an internal compartment. A flange extends about each of the top and bottom parts. These flanges are spaced apart by the sidewall which is a part of the bottom of the container. An exterior cap is provided for the top and bottom parts and secured to the flange thereabout. The top and bottom parts include respective first and second complementary closure elements which engage and lock when the container is closed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A container comprising: a. a unitary bottom part,   b. a unitary top part complementary to said bottom part,   c. said top and bottom parts, when engaged to constitute a closed container, forming an internal compartment, and   d. a hinge connecting said top and bottom parts along one edge thereof,   e. said top part including a first closure element and said bottom part including a second closure element engagable with and complementary to said first closure element, i. said first closure element comprising a depending leg formed about the peripheral edge of said top part, said leg being directed slightly inwardly toward said compartment and having a lower marginal edge,   ii. said bottom part including an upstanding sidewall formed about the periphery of said bottom part, and said second closure element comprising a recess along the top of said sidewall, said recess being shaped to engage said leg in a snap-lock fashion and including a ledge against which said lower marginal edge of said leg seats when said container is closed.     
     
     
       2. A container according to claim 1 in which said sidewall comprises an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion extending from and spaced from said inner wall portion, said outer wall portion having a lower border, said recess being formed in said outer wall portion. 
     
     
       3. A container according to claim 2 including a first flange extending outwardly about said outer wall portion at said lower border and a second flange extending outwardly about said leg at said marginal edge, said flanges being spaced from one another forming a gap to assist opening of said container. 
     
     
       4. A container according to claim 1 in which said sidewall includes a first flange extending outwardly therefrom and said leg includes a second flange extending outwardly therefrom at said marginal edge, said flanges being spaced from one another forming a gap therebetween. 
     
     
       5. A container according to claim 4 including a cap for said top part secured to said second flange and a cap for said bottom part secured to said first flange. 
     
     
       6. A container according to claim 5 in which each said cap is spaced from the respective top or bottom part which is covered by said cap. 
     
     
       7. A container according to claim 4 in which said hinge is secured to said flanges and comprises a living hinge. 
     
     
       8. A container according to claim 1 including a depression in said sidewall to facilitate removal of any contents from said compartment. 
     
     
       9. A unitary container comprising a. a bottom part,   b. a top part complementary to said bottom part,   c. said top and bottom parts, when engaged to constitute a closed container, forming an internal compartment,   d. said top part including a first closure element and said bottom part including a second closure element engagable with and complementary to said first closure element, i. said first closure element comprising a depending leg formed about the peripheral edge of said top part, said leg being directed slightly inwardly toward said compartment and having a lower marginal edge,   ii. said bottom part including an upstanding sidewall formed about the periphery of said bottom part, and said second closure element comprising a recess at the top of said sidewall, said recess being shaped to engage said leg and including a ledge against which said lower marginal edge of said leg seats when said container is closed.     e. a first flange extending outwardly from said sidewall and a second flange extending outwardly from said leg at said marginal edge thereof, said flanges being spaced from one another forming a gap therebetween,   f. a living hinge which is integral with and connects said top and bottom parts by means of said flanges, and   an exterior cap for said bottom part secured to said first flange and an exterior cap for said top part secured to said second flange.